["Omes" also written and spoken as "Owes" and "Oyes" in some communities. All forms are correct.]

Updated 15 Rvfo Cusē (January), 2003

"Omes" is a verb--a word of action. "Omes" is also one of the most important, useful and valuable first words to learn in Muskogee. At its simplest level, "omes" is usually translated as "IS." In English, the word "is" occupies the place known as the third person singular of the verb "To Be." This merely means that use of "is" goes with the third person of speech as in "she is, he is or it is" of the spoken or written word. "She, he and it" are built into this Muskogee word. They are pronouns that simply represent or take the place of the name of things such as an act, idea, a person, place, quality or thing. "Omes" and its reduced contractions (casual forms) are the real workers of Muskogee speech, as you'll soon discover!

"Omes" does more than just mean "IS." It implies completeness to a thought for native speakers. It is assertive in the manner in which it wraps up a sentence all neat and tidy. "Omes" is flexible, not rigid. Its contractions are very useful and add variety and speed to conversation.

Omes - "Is"

Also as "Owes" and "Oyes" in some communities

Contractions

Common reduced forms: OS, TOS and "-es" (as a verb ending)

Os - "Is, Are and sometimes Am"

Tos - "Is, Are and sometimes Am"

-t os- "Is, Are and sometimes Am" ("–t" case ending of previous word)

-es - "Is" (she, he, it or something named, is)

Examples:

Cukot omes.

It is a house.

Cuko tomes.

It is a house.

Cukot os.

It is a house.

common



Cuko tos.

It is a house.

Cukotos.

It is a house.

Don't worry about that floating "T" in the sentences above. It is really behaving properly. Soon, you'll understand all the rules that govern the "T" and where it appears in the words within a sentence. For the present, we will vary its placement in these lessons. You will quickly realize how it serves to mark the end of subjects and mark non-final verb endings that reflect back on the subject. Yes, all subjects are reflected in the sentence verb in Mvskokē.